Government of Meghalaya Annual Plan 2000-2001 Draft Proposals

Abstract

Meghalaya, first carved out as an autonomous State with the two Hill Districts of the United Khasi & Jaintia Hills and the Garo Hills of Assam in 1970, became a full fledged Stale in January, 1972. It is one of the smallest States in India and is strategically located in the North East. It has an area of 22,429 sq. kms approximately. It is a strip of land spread along the northern boundary of Bangladesh and is bounded by that country on the South and partly from the West. The length of the international boundary is about 423 kms. the Slate is surrounded on the other side by Assam. Access to the State is mainly by road from Assam. the land surface of the State mostly comprises steep hills and deep gorges, with valleys and plains land being very limited. 1.2. POPULATION : the total population of the State as per 1991 census is 17,74,778 as against 13.35,819 in 1981, indicating a rise of 32.86 per cent over the population of 1981. Nearly 81 per cent of the population of the State live in rural areas. As per 1991 census, the Stale has a total of 5492 villages indicating a rise of 12.04 per cent over the 1981 census. the population of Meghalaya is predominantly tribal which constitutes nearly 85.5 per cent of the total population of the State.